HOW TO STORE TOFU RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut the chicken by slicing diagonally. Then, gather the clumps of chicken together, and chop the pieces into even smaller pieces. Gather, flip the clump of chicken, and repeat.
• Place your newly minced chicken in a bowl, and add cornstarch, oyster sauce, and water. Using your hands and a bit of strength, mix and massage the chicken around until the marinade is fully absorbed. Let the marinade sit for about 5 minutes.
• Pour the water out of the tofu package, and chop the tofu into cubes.
• Mince garlic cloves, chili peppers, and green onion.
• In a bowl, mix together cornstarch and water until you have an even consistency.
• Set your stove to its highest setting, and wait a few minutes for your pan or wok to heat up. Once it's hot enough, add oil, garlic cloves, and chilies. Stir the garlic and chilies around for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Add bean sauce to the wok, stirring it around with the chicken for about 1 minute.
• Add the tofu to the wok, gently stir it around, and cover the wok with a lid. Let it sit for about 3 minutes, when the wok starts to boil.
• Slowly pour the cornstarch mix into the wok, gently stirring the wok around as you go. Be careful not to break the tofu in the process. Next, add sesame oil. Gently stir the wok around to mix the sesame oil in.
• We're done! You're almost ready to eat your delicious creation. If you're plating the dish, the only caveat is to pour the tofu directly into a bowl or plate WITHOUT using a spatula. This helps keep the tofu intact.

Steps:

• Prepare the tofu: Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and put into a bowl. Bring a kettle of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and when the boiling subsides, pour hot water over the tofu to cover. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large (14-inch) wok or (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, toast the peppercorns for 2 to 3 minutes, until super fragrant and slightly darkened. (A wisp of smoke is normal.) Let cool briefly, then pound with a mortar and pestle, or pulse in a spice grinder.
• Set a strainer over a measuring cup, then add the tofu to drain; reserve 1 1/2 cups of the soaking water, discarding the rest. Set the tofu and reserved soaking water near the stove with the peppercorns and other prepped ingredients for swift cooking.
• Reheat the wok or skillet over high. When hot — you can flick water in and it should sizzle and evaporate within seconds — swirl in the oil to evenly coat, then add the meat. Stir and mash into cooked and crumbly pieces, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add 2 1/2 tablespoons doubanjiang, the douchi (if using), ginger and red-pepper flakes (if using). Cook about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until things are vivid reddish brown. Add the soy sauce and sugar, stir to combine, then add the tofu. Gently stir or shake the pan to combine the ingredients without breaking up the tofu much.
• Add the reserved 1 1/2 cups soaking water, bring to a vigorous simmer, and cook for about 3 minutes, agitating the pan occasionally, to let the tofu absorb the flavors of the sauce.
• Slightly lower the heat and taste the sauce. If needed, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of doubanjiang for heat, a pinch of salt for savoriness, or a sprinkle of sugar to tame heat.
• Add the scallions and stir to combine. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, then stir in enough to the mapo tofu to thicken to a soupy rather than a gravy-like finish. Sprinkle in the ground peppercorns, give the mixture one last stir to incorporate, then transfer to a shallow bowl. Serve immediately with lots of hot rice.